Sydney computer company worker dies in compound

A Sydney man was killed and another injured in the bomb blasts in Riyadh.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said a 39-year-old man from Sydney, who worked for a computer company in the Saudi capital, died in the blasts.

Another Sydney man was injured and taken to hospital. The department said the 28-year-old man was not in a life threatening condition.

A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, said Australian diplomats in Riyadh had spoken to several other Australians living in the compounds who were "shaken, but not injured".

Mr Downer said earlier the al-Qaeda network was the likely culprit for the blasts.

"Our impression is that it is likely to be an al-Qaeda operation, particularly as there has been forewarning of a possible al-Qaeda attack in Saudi Arabia," Mr Downer told ABC radio.

One Australian woman, identified as Helen, told CNN that trucks had rammed into gates at her walled and heavily guarded villa in the compound. After an exchange of gunfire, an explosion shook her sturdy villa like a cardboard box.

"What am I doing living in a country where we need this kind of security? We're surrounded by people who obviously don't want us here . . . it's the ugliest day in my life," she said.

Australia warned its citizens last Saturday to avoid travelling to Saudi Arabia because of a heightened threat to Westerners.

Travel advice for the kingdom has been updated to note the possibility of further terrorist attacks and Australians in Saudi Arabia are urged to consider departure.

About 3000 Australians live in Saudi Arabia, along with 35,000 to 40,000 Americans.

Inquiries about loved ones can be directed to the the toll-free hotline 1300 555 135.